First look: 2014 Buick LaCrosse

2014 Buick LaCrosse, at a press event ahead of the New York International Auto Show, on March 26, 2013.

Derek McNaughton, Postmedia News

2014 Buick LaCrosse, at a press event ahead of the New York International Auto Show, on March 26, 2013.

Derek McNaughton, Postmedia News

2014 Buick LaCrosse, at a press event ahead of the New York International Auto Show, on March 26, 2013.

Derek McNaughton, Postmedia News

2014 Buick LaCrosse, at a press event ahead of the New York International Auto Show, on March 26, 2013.

Derek McNaughton, Postmedia News

2014 Buick LaCrosse, at a press event ahead of the New York International Auto Show, on March 26, 2013.

Derek McNaughton, Postmedia News

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Derek McNaughton, Postmedia News | March 26, 2013

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New York — Getting a jump on the new vehicles to be revealed Wednesday at the New York Auto Show, Buick revealed Tuesday its heavily revised 2014 LaCrosse and lightly modified 2014 Regal and Regal GS.

The big news here is Buick’s intent to woo even more buyers away from Lexus, Lincoln and Acura by adding all-wheel-drive to the Regal (a first for the Regal) and sharpening the style on the LaCrosse. Using technology similar to Audi and other luxury brands, Buick is employing a Haldex system on the Regal and LaCrosse with an electronic limited slip differential that automatically decides how to distribute torque based on vehicle speed, throttle position and individual wheel slip. In the Regal and its GS stable mate, it should also eliminate the torque steer evident when the turbo power was unleashed.

Buick’s flagship LaCrosse, however, is taking a step forward from the design that emerged as a 2010 model. The new car aims to continue to lower the average age of Buick buyers in North America from the 50s into the 40s, while still continuing its strong appeal to Asian buyers and other world markets. Globally, LaCrosse sales have topped 500,000 since its introduction in 2009, with North American sales amounting to 57,000 in 2012. Refreshed styling front and rear, a new interior, more safety features and a much-improved infotainment headline the changes.

Outside, new “wing-shaped” LED running lights compliment bi-xenon swivel headlamps, while LED tail lamps enhance the rear of the 2014 LaCrosse. Lower front active grille shutters are included on every model and close at highway speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag. The hood is now more sculpted and the grille more prominent.

Gone is the dated interior and dash for something entirely more pleasing, including a clear, eight-inch digital instrumentation screen complimented by an eight-inch colour touch-screen in the center stack featuring Buick’s latest “IntelliLink” system. It can now be used much like a smartphone — swiped, scrolled or touched to find various functions or apps. Better voice recognition, better navigation including 3D graphics, and an easier interface should make the system easy to use. Bigger and fewer buttons for other controls are also an improvement.

LaCrosse powertrains remain unchanged. Front-wheel-drive versions can be had with a 184-horsepower, 2.4-litre with eAssist light electrification or a 3.6-litre direct-injected V6. AWD models only come with the V6, which is good for 304 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque. While other luxury brands are going to eight-speed transmissions, the LaCrosse soldiers on with a six-speed automatic as the only choice.

New seats and better materials, as well as an optional “ultra luxury package” bring a synthetic suede headliner, semi-aniline leather seating, and real ash wood trim. Optionally safety equipment has taken a big step up and now includes such things as forward collision alerts, lane departure warning, lane change alert, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Built in Kansas, the LaCrosse goes on sale this summer with pricing to be announced closer to the on sale date.